For refugees first arriving to the country through the federal resettlement program, IRIS is able to secure an apartment, donated furniture, household goods, and toiletries. To prevent food insecurity for all clients, IRIS’s food pantry distributes 2,000 pounds of nutritious food each week to over 200 refugee and immigrant households in the greater New Haven area. A free “marketplace” offers all clients the chance to select additional linens, kitchen supplies, toys and books, and other household items.
IRIS seeks to address the physical and mental health needs of refugee and immigrant families. Staff and volunteers schedule and accompany clients to medical appointments, assist with translation, help clients learn to navigate the system independently, and host health literacy workshops. Additionally, IRIS facilitates programs that foster cross-cultural socialization, emotional well-being, and empowerment, including soccer teams, community gardening, and a weekly women’s sewing group.
SUN (Services for Undocumented Neighbors) includes services that IRIS offers to immigrants and displaced people in the community who do not have Refugee immigration status. Undocumented immigrants are facing grim realities; evictions, deportations, medical/health insecurity, lack of food, and lack of employment as the economic collapse due to COVID-19 hit undocumented residents hardest. The SUN program aims to help our clients become strong self-advocates with an awareness of how to access what they need.
Our basic services revolve around – health, education, and food access with limited assistance in legal services.
To be eligible for this program community members must have arrived into the country in the last 2 years and live in the city of New Haven or surrounding towns – including West Haven, East Haven, Hamden, and North Haven. Please fill out this form to receive a call from our intake specialist and determine eligibility.
To learn more about the program, click here!